The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-03-19
JOHN HARvEY,s MISTAKE.

JOHN HARVEY'S MISTAKE.
A life was passing away, softly and
gently il was gliding into eternity No
eminent physician watched lis decay;
no wealth eased its painful joltinss
along the road 10 death; vet no word
passed Clara testers lips; no traitorous
cry thar her burden was greater than
she could bear came from ner loyal
heart Pain had traced many wrinkle
on her fair forehead. but her brows had
never been drawn together in angry
impatience-
Bel Urnson. loving her sister devoted
Iy. and tending her daily. was kept in
ignorance of her danger. ana never sus-
pected the slenderness of her hold on
life. Bel only saw that Clara was
Young, and beautiful. and delicate. Yes,
she was delicate; but then Clara had
been delicate from her childhood. and
since that dreadful morning when news
came 10 them that the steamship Gavin
pore had been wrecked of the African
coast. aud Capt. Lester's name had APP
neared among the passengers drowned
or missing. his Young bride Clara Les
ter had. as Margaret expressed il, never
raised her head Death and her sister
We're. however. never associated in Bel
Urnson's mind. Clara was delicate
and that was all.
Three years had run their course since
the wreck of the Cawnpore and Capt
Lester had never come back to his wife;
and now, she whispered To herself. she
was going 10 him.
Before Bel had attained her 18th year
she was engaged TO be married to Lieut.
Haywood. young officer in the tn
Hussars: but a misunderstanding had
arisen between them, and they parted.
Clara used to say TO her, Il am sure
there is only some foolish mistake be-
tween you. and some day Lieut. Hey
wood will come back to YOU and every
thing will be explained"
But Bel had laughed scornfuIlv at
Clara's prophecy and refused to place
any confidence in it. Her disappOint-
ment had shaken her confidence in hui
man goodness and integrity, and she
became suspicious. retIcent. and sar-
castle But gradually Clara Lester's in
fiuence etfe tied a change. and two
years later Bel Urmson had learned to
love again and was once more engaged
to be married.
One morning Bel was seated on a
low stool by her sisters couch, her chin
resting ON her hand and her eyes gaz-
ing vacantly on the floor. She had
been silent for long time, when sud-
denly she spoke
Il thought John ought to know that
/ had loved before, ana so | told him
the story of my love. Was ! rightp''
and she turned her dark, handsome
face TO her sister. while her glorious
brown eyes seem To repeat her question.
s'Was j right?'
Quite right" Clara answered; you
have only forcsiaiied the advice | in
tended 10 give you to-day. And he, Bel
what did Mr.. Harvey say?"
A blush crept up the girls cheeks.
and her eyelids dropped for an instant
ms she said:
Il don't think he liked it. Clara. he
looked so disappointed; but he said very
little. But I do love him. and he has
no cause for jealousy. But ne Is jealous
Jealous as Othello''-and with light,
careless laugh she turned away.
I'm sure Bel does not love him. " the
sister murmured. squeezing her fingers
together in agony al the thought
Il have come earlier than usual, >"
said John Harvey. who now entered.
THE fact is. have received a telegram
from my father informing me of his ar
rival in England and requesting my inn
mediate presence in Southampton. be-
cause, as he expresses it, he IS not so
well. / do not suppose it Is anything
serious; nevertheless. l am obliged to
leave Sutton tonight"
II am SORRY" Clara said. 81 hope
you will find him better. John. she
continued, leaning over and laying her
hand in his. '-my life is so uncert ain. 1
may never see you again Don't start
the thought is not new to me. Prom
Use mel will not ask you TO swear it.
for mans word should be binding as
his oath-but promise me now, before l
die, to be always kind TO Bel.
Startled and surprised though he was,
without a moments hesitation he an
swered:
Il promise. To the utmost of my
power l viii be good to your darling.
Thank you. she murmured as her
sister and the nurse made their appear
ance. "And now, if you will take Be-
away, Margaret shall help me go to my
room Good-by. John
He shook hands with her, expressing g
hope that when he returned he should
find her stronger. Then he and Be-
walked to the small iron gate which
divided Mr.. Lester miniature garden
from Sutton Common. and pausing
there he asked:
.'Bel. will you write to me while am
awayp"
They had been engaged only month,
and this was their first separation; new
ertheless, she answered with warm de-
cision:
mo; you will live on my letters and
be in no hurry to come back to me"
That same night. Clarl Lester found
the release for which she had so long
waited
al win never listen to anv of Bells